More buyers are choosing regional hubs like Townsville, drawn by a better balance of lifestyle, affordability and opportunity.
A diverse economy, major infrastructure investment, stunning natural surroundings and a relaxed tropical pace give buyers the space and quality of life they’re after — without the congestion or price tag of the bigger cities.
It’s this mix of growth, connectivity and liveability that’s drawing families, first home buyers and investors alike. Today’s buyers are taking a more considered approach to property — weighing up value, lifestyle and confidence before committing to their next move. Increasingly, that confidence is leading them to Townsville. The region is backed by an approximately $12 billion-plus project pipeline comprising major Federal, State and Local Government initiatives, together with significant private sector investment planned over the next 5 to 10 years.[6] This includes transformational projects such as CopperString 2032, Defence expansion, port upgrades and energy infrastructure, helping to drive employment growth, economic resilience and future opportunity across the region.[6]
Tucked away in Townsville’s south-west, Somers & Hervey in Rasmussen offers a rare opportunity to secure a homesite in an 80-hectare, master-planned community of up to 850 homesites[12]. With spectacular Mount Stuart views and 16 hectares of parkland and habitat corridors, land is selling now, with titles expected in as little as 4–6 weeks — giving buyers a head start to lock in their builder and design before settlement. It combines natural beauty with genuine connectivity — just three minutes from the newly revitalised Riverway Plaza[13], moments from Ross River’s kayaking, fishing and water-skiing[14], and a 20-minute commute to Townsville’s city centre[14].
No matter where you are on your property journey, here is why securing your land at Somers & Hervey makes sense right now.
1. First Home Buyers: A Smarter Way Into the Market
Entering the property market can feel like a climb, but securing your land in a masterplanned community like Somers & Hervey unlocks some of the most generous government incentives in the country to help offset your setup costs:
| Government Initiative | The Financial Benefit to You |
| QLD First Home Owner Grant15 | Get $30,000 in cash assistance directly towards the cost of constructing your new home |
| No Stamp Duty on Vacant Land16 | Pay $0 in transfer duty on residential vacant land, saving you thousands in upfront cash |
| Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme17 | Eligible first-home buyers may be able to purchase with a minimum 5% deposit and avoid LMI, subject to eligibility and the $700,000 property price cap applicable to Rasmussen. |
Together, these initiatives could significantly reduce the upfront costs of buying and building your first home, potentially freeing up tens of thousands of dollars depending on your purchase price, circumstances and eligibility.*
With titles landing in as little as 4–6 weeks, now is the time to secure your block and start the conversation with a builder — so you’re ready to move the moment settlement happens.
17 For vacant land purchased with a separate building contract, the $700,000 property price cap applies to the combined land and build cost. Eligibility and scheme conditions apply. Confirm eligibility with a participating lender.
* Potential savings and benefits vary depending on the initiative, purchase price, individual circumstances and eligibility. The Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme is not a cash payment or grant.
2. Families & Upgraders: More Space, More Lifestyle, Zero Compromise
As your family grows, you need room to breathe — without sacrificing city convenience. Somers & Hervey has been masterplanned with family living at its core, offering:
– Generous, Flat Homesites: easy-to-build blocks with plenty of space for a large modern home, a swimming pool, and a backyard shed
– 16 Hectares of Parkland: landscaped parklands, environmental habitat corridors, and walking and bike trails weaving through conservation areas — with a central community hub planned to bring neighbours together [12].
– A View That’s Protected: with Mount Stuart and The Pinnacles as your backdrop, generous flat blocks mean your outlook isn’t at the mercy of tomorrow’s build next door
– The 6-Minute Rule: a peaceful, nature-filled escape while remaining just 6 minutes from local shopping centres, quality schools, major employment hubs, and direct access to the Ring Road. [13]
With titles just 4–6 weeks away, there’s no better time to secure your block and start planning your build — so when settlement lands, you’re ready to go, not just getting started.
3. Investors: Supported by Strong Market Fundamentals
For property investors, Townsville offers a combination of affordability, rental demand and long-term economic drivers that make it a market worth considering.
– A City Backed by Real Investment: Townsville’s population of 206,000+ [1] is projected to grow past 264,900 by 2046 [2], supported by a permanent Defence presence at Lavarack Barracks [7], an expanding Townsville University Hospital [8], James Cook University and an approximately $12 billion-plus regional project pipeline spanning major infrastructure, defence, energy, port and private sector investment over the next 5 to 10 years, helping drive jobs, economic resilience and long-term growth across the region [6].
– One of the Tightest Rental Markets in the Country: Townsville’s rental market remains tight, with vacancy sitting around 1.1% [3], median rent for a three-bedroom house at approximately $520 per week [4], and average gross rental yields of around 4.4% [5].
– A Tax Environment Supporting New Builds: Changes to Australia’s tax rules are designed to direct tax support towards new housing. From 1 July 2027, eligible investors purchasing new-build residential property will retain tax treatment that will generally no longer be available to investors purchasing eligible established property after 12 May 2026 [9].
What does this mean in practice?
For example, imagine an investor purchases an eligible new-build house and land package at Somers & Hervey. In the early years, the property generates $28,080 in annual rental income (based on the lower end of Townsville’s rental range and for illustrative purposes only) [4] while eligible deductible expenses total $35,000. That creates a $6,920 rental loss. [9]
Under the new rules, an eligible new-build property can continue to benefit from negative gearing, meaning the eligible loss may be offset against the investor’s other taxable income, subject to their individual circumstances and eligibility [9]
The capital gains tax treatment also remains more flexible for eligible new builds. When the property is eventually sold, eligible new-build investors will retain the option of using the existing 50% CGT discount, or a new indexation method — which adjusts the purchase price for inflation before calculating the gain, taxed at a minimum rate of 30% — depending on their circumstances and which treatment is more favourable [9].
The takeaway: for investors considering new residential property, the tax treatment of eligible new builds is an important consideration alongside purchase price, rental demand, yield and potential long-term price growth. [3][5][9]
Somers & Hervey offers land and house & land opportunities designed for new residential construction, giving investors the opportunity to consider a new-build property in one of Townsville’s established growth corridors.[10][12].
* This example is hypothetical and for illustrative purposes only. Tax treatment and eligibility vary depending on individual circumstances, the property purchased and applicable legislation, and no tax saving or investment outcome is guaranteed. For more information, visit the Australian Taxation Office. Investors should seek independent, professional financial and taxation advice.
Land at Somers & Hervey is selling from $270,000[10] with five land release stages already sold out within 16 months to a healthy mix of owner-occupiers and investors.[11]
NEW LAND NOW SELLING — CLICK HERE
Disclaimer: Information is current as of August 2026. Eligibility criteria, terms and conditions apply to all Queensland Government grants, transfer duty concessions and Australian Government home buyer schemes referenced above [15–17]. These schemes may change or be withdrawn without notice.
For the Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme, the applicable property price cap for Rasmussen is $700,000, with eligibility and scheme conditions applying.
Market data, population projections, rental figures, rental vacancy rates and rental yield figures [1–6] are indicative only, drawn from third-party sources, and may vary by suburb, property type and individual property. They are not a guarantee of future performance. Infrastructure projects referenced are subject to government funding, approval and timing and may be delayed, altered or cancelled.
Tax information [9], including the worked example and any rental income or expense assumptions used within that example, is general in nature and provided for illustrative purposes only. Tax treatment and eligibility depend on individual circumstances, the property purchased and applicable legislation. No tax saving or investment outcome is guaranteed. Investors should seek independent financial and taxation advice.
Somers & Hervey land and house & land pricing [10], release stage information [11] and project details [12] are current as at the date of publication, subject to availability and may change without notice. Past sales activity is not an indicator of future demand or performance. Prospective buyers and investors should conduct their own independent financial, legal and taxation enquiries before making a decision.
Sources
1. City of Townsville LGA population (206,000+) — ABS Estimated Resident Population / Townsville City Council Community Profile, June 2024. Townsville City Council — Community Profiles
2. Population projection (264,900+ by 2046) — Townsville City Council, “Living in Townsville”, citing Queensland Government Population Projections, 2023 edition.
3. Rental vacancy rate (1.1%) — REIQ Residential Vacancy Rate Report, March 2026.
4. Median rent, three-bedroom house ($520/week) — Queensland Residential Tenancies Authority, Median Rents Quick Finder, March 2026 quarter.
5. Average gross rental yield for houses (4.4%) — FMG Group, Townsville Property Market.
6. Infrastructure investment and project pipeline — Townsville Enterprise North Queensland Project Pipeline, comprising a broader multi-year regional project pipeline exceeding $12B, including CopperString 2032, Defence expansion, port upgrades and energy infrastructure.
7. Defence presence, Lavarack Barracks — Australian Government Defence Ministers transcript, September 2023; Defence Connect, April 2025.
8. Townsville University Hospital expansion — Townsville Hospital and Health Service, “Our major expansion”.
9. Federal tax reform — changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax, including the 12 May 2026 transitional date and 1 July 2027 commencement — Australian Taxation Office — Tax reform: Boosting home ownership
10. Land pricing from $270,000 — Somers & Hervey current site pricing.
11. Five stages sold out within 16 months — Somers & Hervey, “Townsville Suburb Defies Price Curve”, August 2025.
12. 80 hectares, up to 850 homesites, open space and community hub — Somers & Hervey, current masterplan and project information.
13. Riverway Plaza (3 minutes) and Ring Road access — Somers & Hervey, “Exciting Expansions Around Somers & Hervey”.
14. Ross River recreation and 20-minute CBD commute — Somers & Hervey website, current site copy.
15. Queensland First Home Owner Grant ($30,000) — Queensland Revenue Office — First Home Owner Grant eligibility
16. First-home transfer duty concession on eligible vacant land — Queensland Revenue Office — First home vacant land concession
17. Australian Government 5% Deposit Scheme — minimum 5% deposit, no LMI, no income caps and no waitlist for eligible first-home buyers; applicable property price caps and other conditions apply — Australian Government, First Home Buyers / Housing Australia.